A new measure, called the Body Adiposity Index, or BAI, relies on height and hip measurements, and it is meant to offer a more flexible alternative to body mass index, or BMI, a ratio of height and weight, U.S. researchers said.

Study suggests that people whose nutritional regimen consists only of foods derived from plants, have a longer life expectancy and enjoy a better quality of life than people who eat both animal and plant products (omnivores).

About three hundred twenty million people are obese and the number is not decreasing considering the sedentary lifestyle of many individuals and the proliferation of unhealthy foods as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).